[The following is a transcription of an attached image of Berenice for the school's identification database.]
Physical Appearance: Berenice stands around 5'4" with a middling build with no particular irregularities from her ancestry. She possesses the light blonde hair and fair skin typical of descent from engkanto, with her brown eyes being more typical of Filipino descent. No noticeable deviations in clothing preferences present; Berenice is otherwise indistinguishable from other children of her age, with a preference for skirts, billowy shirts and white dresses over tight-fitting jeans and thin shirts. She often wears a flower in her hair to accentuate her appearance, but also to mess with people in the know about her ancestry with what kind of nature spirit she is descended from.
[Section: Supernatural Species Description]
Engkanto: Nature spirits of Filipino folklore. Often said to be beautiful countenances with fair skin, blonde hair and blue eyes, possibly derived from first contact with European explorers. Engkanto are said to possess similar traits to the faeries of European traditions; inhumanly beautiful beings who, taking fancies to humans, variously bless them with good luck or take them away to their homes. It is said that humans who displeased the engkanto fall ill or fall to madness that can only be cured by an albularyo (medicine man) providing certain amulets. It is said that having an engkanto live near or within your home brings good luck. Particularly gifted or charismatic people were said to be the offspring of engkanto. Engkanto are still notably vulnerable to sickness and aging, though less so than humans. Males are referred to as engkantado and females engkantada.
- Elizabeth Pagtakhan, PhD, former Professor of Supernatural Studies, University of the Philippines (Baguio), Folklore Specialist
[Section: Psychological Analysis]
Psychological Profile/Personality: Berenice, as far as can be discerned, is a normal young woman of her age, supernatural descent aside. She is well-adjusted to her nature as a person of supernatural descent; she might be described a friendly and empathetic, if somewhat quiet, person who does not openly broadcast her nature. She possesses a healthy interest in folklore, both out of interest in her own descent and also as a hobby in and of itself, which seems to be encouraged by her father's line of work. Her work ethic is respectable; she can be found practicing her instruments or working hard on her studies when not busy with friends. She shows an intense interest in classical music, in particular the violin; Berenice can get into heated discussions about the importance of music to herself and culture as a whole should she be provoked. She can be rather protective of those she cares for and very easy to provoke when it comes to her family; the chances of her misusing her abilities is slim, however.
- Naomi Miyazono, MD, Supernatural Counsellor, John Dee High School
[Section: Applicant History]
Please see attached video file "statement.mp4". -Berenice Pagtakhan
Other Notes:
- The applicant has applied for a full arts scholarship under the Music Department. The requisite file and applications forms have been forwarded to the Music Department for consideration, pending approval of the scholarship request.
Contained within is a transcript of one of the video files sent with the applicant's application in accordance with application policy. The transcript is present for reading purposes.
[The video file opens onto a well-lit room with light wallpaper. From the decorations and furniture, it is likely this is the Pagtakhan family's living room. The applicant, Berenice, is sitting on a red couch in the middle of the room, her hands in her lap. A shelf furnished with awards for musical competitions can be in the background along with a picture of the applicant's family in Baguio City. A tall blonde woman, the applicant's mother Christine, can be seen quickly entering the frame around the back of the couch and exiting the frame towards the camera.]
CHRISTINE: Ready ka na, Bernie? We have to get pick up Ronee [the applicant's younger sister] soon so don't take too long.
BERENICE: Don't worry, mom. I know what to say. Just be myself, right? Don't tell lies, be as open as you can and don't be awkward.
CHRISTINE: Okay. The camera's on now, so I'll just let you talk. Don't be nervous, mija. You've got this.
[The applicant smiles in response to something off-camera.]
BERENICE: So, uh, hi. I'm Berenice Pagtakhan -please feel free to call me Bernie- and, um, I suppose you want to know a little about who I am. Video personal statements are the trend now for universities, I hear from some family friends (and some other people applying here), so I guess I'll throw my hat in, huh?
[The applicant giggles, muttering a quick apology and attempting to regain her composure before she continues.]
My parents are kinda normal, I guess, for being a nature spirit right out of the legends and a guy who studies folklore. They always tell me they met when Dad took a wrong turn when he went shopping and went to my Mom's store instead, like one of those romance films. Um, I'm not going to bore you with the details but it's a little context because it seems so normal, right?
After they got married, they had me and as far as I know, they wanted me to have a normal life as much as possible; Mom was always treated kinda weird back in the Philippines because she was both pretty and a supernatural, and Dad wanted me to fit in around here, so they both didn't want to stand out too much. I suppose it kinda helps that even if Mom and I are engkantada, we don't stand out too much; we just look like blonde people. They tried their best to keep me normal; even when I accidentally gave Dad laryngitis as a baby-
[The applicant's face flushes as she quickly mutters an apology to her father in Tagalog.]
-they just put me into therapy to help me control my powers, so I can control them. I suppose having a little sister helped; Veronica was always kinda sickly as a baby so I always had to be careful and help Mom take care of her. She and I got put into the same school; a normal one, with normal kids and a normal education Mom and Dad tried their best to hide who we were from them: they didn't want special treatment for us, but somehow, some way, people found out that we were supernaturals. Maybe it was the hair; my dad looks pretty Filipino- black hair, dark-ish skin, brown eyes- but Mom, my sister and I are all blonde and light-skinned and pretty-looking, so maybe they figured it out from that.
[The applicant chuckles, absentmindedly stroking her hair.]
Um, it was a little awkward for a week or two; you see, nobody really knows what an engkanto is outside of the Philippines and they always think they're just like elves, which I can understand. After they found out, well, people kinda treated me and Ron- sorry, my sister weird. Sometimes, they'd treat us nicely and sometimes they'd kinda treat us badly. See, they kinda found out that engkanto like us can curse or bless people- you know, make people who anger them get bad luck, get sick or go crazy, make people they like rich and powerful and lucky-, so they were kinda both scared and wanted us to give them good luck and stuff. But, Mom, Dad and the therapist always taught us both that we shouldn't use our powers unless we need to, to protect ourselves and those around us. You know, like karate.
It went away around.....I want to say....halfway through middle school; my sister and I finally made a few friends, and though people kinda kept accusing us of cheating with our powers and messing with us, it was okay. You know, you kinda have to get used to it sometimes; I know, people are scared of supernaturals, and someday I hope that goes away, but you just have to deal with it until then. I mostly stayed out of trouble; the teachers were pretty understanding about the whole situation, they didn't give me any special treatment and uh, well, I suppose my parents got what they wanted. As did I, really; I just kinda wanted to be a normal girl. Nothing special. You know like that one comic book says, "with great power comes great responsibility"? My mom and dad really taught me that. Treat people well and as you'd like to be treated and they'll treat you the same right back.
I should, uh, probably talk about something else, huh?
Let's talk about hobbies. Yeah, that's probably good. And less embarrassing.
Right. Hobbies. Um....
[The applicant pauses for a moment.]
I suppose I was kinda interested in folklore; not just Filipino folklore, but folklore in general. I suppose Dad kinda influenced me here, what with being a professor of the thing and all. The main thing I'm really interested in, though, is music. Like, you know how people always think making your kids listen to Mozart makes them smarter? Well, Mom kinda fell for it and it really must've rubbed off on me, because as soon as I could talk, I begged my parents to let me have a violin and give me lessons. I'd say it'd be like someone found a deluxe box of crayons and threw them anywhere, but that kinda feels like someone said that before somewhere. Ever since, I've really gotten into it; I've played in competitions, I've played for school; I especially really like the Kretuzer; again, I kinda feel like I'm talking about someone else, but deja vu and all, you know? I even have a small channel where I upload some covers of songs I play with the violin for practice. Some day, I hope I could play for a famous orchestra or even as a solo performer. Maybe I'll even become one of those violinists who plays for metal and rock bands, you know?
So anyway, as for why I'm at Eventide? You see, um, I applied to a different place for a music scholarship, but around that time, all those laws and policies about reducing supernaturals in schools went into place. They took their offer back from me and, well, my parents didn't take it too well. Honestly, I didn't really take it too well either; I mean, I've been nice, I've not caused any trouble and as far as they know, I've had a perfectly normal life, my grades were good enough with a 4.0 grade average to get into anywhere I wanted, but they rejected me anyway. It....wasn't a good feeling, I'll admit. But, you know, live and learn, and like they say, roll with the punches, right?
Anyway, so we, um, looked around a little, trying to find a good place where I could do music and kinda fit in with other people, and well, I suppose Eventide was the closest place we could find. I suppose I could've gone to one of the universities in California- we have relatives there and plenty of other Filipinos- or even gone to one of the Irish universities, but I kinda wanted to stay close to home and family. And I also did some research and, well, you have an excellent music program. And, as you know, I'm really into playing violin, so between all of those, I suppose I'm not too badly off! So, um, I suppose things kinda worked out after all, huh? I mean, they might work out. If I get in. Oh, I really shouldn't say that, huh? That sounds really desperate. Mom, can we cut that out?
[The applicant's mother presumably replies in the affirmative.]
So.....yeah. That's Bernie Pagtakhan in a nutshell for you. Um, I suppose I could've done a demonstration of my powers, but I don't really want to get in based on those and it's really kinda hard to demonstrate them anyway. And besides, I really, really want my talents and my grades to speak for themselves. If you need a sample of my violin playing, we attached another video just in case, so you could take a look on that. So, um, thank you for taking the time to listen to me and-
[The sound of a door opening can be heard. A male voice, later identified as the applicant's father Leonardo, can be heard.]
LEONARDO: Ay sus, I forgot the time! Hey, Bernie, could you finish up now? We need to pick up your sister.
CHRISTINE: She was just getting done, dear. Is that it? We'll edit out all the extra stuff before we send it off to the university.
BERENICE: Yes, that's all. Ah, the time really caught up, huh?
[The camera is then picked up as the applicant and her mother walk towards a hallway. The video cuts off before the hallway is seen.]
